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Nunez recalled to be 26th man for Game 2

3/27/14: Eduardo Nunez hits a single to left field as Ichiro Suzuki scores to increase the Yankees' lead to 4-0 in the fourth

By Rhett Bollinger
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MLB.com |

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins recalled infielder Eduardo Nunez from Triple-A Rochester before Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader as the club's 26th man on the roster.

Under a new rule this year, if a doubleheader is scheduled the day after a postponed game, both clubs can call up a 26th player, but that player is only eligible for the second game. If the doubleheader is scheduled more than a day later than the postponed game, the 26th player is eligible to play in both games.

The Twins decided to go with Nunez, as they already have 13 pitchers on their roster and wanted a position player. Nunez was thrown right into the fire, starting at third base and batting seventh against the Blue Jays.

He was originally acquired from the Yankees for left-hander Miguel Sulbaran on April 7, and he has played in six games at Rochester, hitting .318 with a homer, a stolen base and three RBIs before being called up.

"He's been swinging good," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "The weather has not been good over there, but he's been swinging good. He's been playing a little bit of third and shortstop. I think his problem is he hasn't been out on the field much, because he was out for about 10 days when we got him and just hasn't had any consistent time out there."

Nunez admitted it was a little strange entering the home clubhouse at Target Field for the first time after spending parts of four seasons with the Yankees.

"It's a little weird," Nunez said. "It's something new to me. I've never been on a new team before. But I'm glad I have a couple friends here, so I feel comfortable."

Nunez, 26, added that he is heading back to Rochester on Friday, but he hopes to be recalled again soon. The Twins still want him to get consistent playing time in Triple-A and work on his defense before he's called up again.

"I just want to do what I can do and play hard," Nunez said. "I want to do the same things I did with the Yankees. Play hard, bunt, steal a base. Just do my best."